Attachment for a drinking vessel

ABSTRACT

An attachment for a drinking vessel is disclosed. The attachment comprises an inner wall, an arc shape on the inner wall, an exterior wall, a plurality of ribs on the inner side of the exterior wall, a curved surface joining the inner wall and exterior wall and a curved edge. The attachment is designed to act as a shield between the drinking vessel and the lips of the user.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present application claims priority from the Indian patentapplication numbered 202021027274 filed on Jun. 26, 2020 in India.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to anattachment for a drinking vessel.

BACKGROUND

In recent times, human civilization has been impacted by transmission ofvarious viruses and bacteria. Lack of cleanliness, especially withrespect with kitchenware often leads to the spread of illnesses. It isnot always possible to make sure if public eateries have takenexhaustive cleanliness measures with all their kitchenware. Often theviruses and bacteria spread through the public eateries. Moreover, ithas become especially important for one and all to follow good personalhygiene, particularly while in public places. Therefore, it has becomeimperative to take precautions, whenever and wherever possible.

SUMMARY

Before the present systems and methods, are described, it is to beunderstood that this application is not limited to the particularsystems, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possibleembodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the presentdisclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the presentapplication. This summary is provided to introduce concepts related tosystems and methods for constructing an attachment for a drinking vesseland the concepts are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify essential featuresof the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determiningor limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one implementation, an attachment for drinking vessel is disclosed.The attachment may comprise an inner wall having an inward slopestructure. The inner wall may be in contact with the inner surface ofthe drinking vessel. The attachment may further comprise an arc on theinner wall. In one aspect, the arc may be present on the inner surface.The attachment may further comprise an exterior wall covering the outersurface of the drinking vessel. In one aspect, the exterior wall maylength longer in height than the inner wall. The attachment may furthercomprise a plurality of ribs located on the inner side of the exteriorwall. It may be noted that the plurality of ribs may be configured tomaintain a structural integrity of the exterior wall. The attachment mayfurther comprise a curved surface joining the inner wall and theexterior wall. The attachment may further comprise a curved edge on thecurved surface. It may be noted that the curved edge has a halfsemi-circle cut on an edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the disclosure, example constructions of the disclosure areshown in the present document; however, the disclosure is not limited tothe specific methods and apparatus disclosed in the document and thedrawings.

The detailed description is given with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Thesame numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features andcomponents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top front view 100 of an attachment (102) for adrinking vessel (502), in accordance with an embodiment of the presentsubject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top back view 200 of an attachment (102) for adrinking vessel (502), in accordance with an embodiment of the presentsubject matter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view 300 of an attachment (102) for adrinking vessel (502), in accordance with an embodiment of the presentsubject matter.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sliced side view 400 of a drinking vessel (502)when an attachment (102) is attached to the drinking vessel (502), inaccordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view 500 of an attachment (102) for drinkingvessel (502) when attached to the drinking vessel (502) in accordancewith an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, willnow be discussed in detail. The words “mounting,”, “comprising”,“placing”, “fitting” and “installing,” and other forms thereof, areintended to be open ended in that an item or items following any one ofthese words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item oritems, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It mustalso be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methodssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, theexemplary systems and methods are now described. The disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may beembodied in various forms.

Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may beapplied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the artwill readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to belimited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

The present invention describes an attachment for a drinking vessel. Theattachment may be readily retrofittable on an aperture edge of thedrinking vessel. The aim of the attachment is to operate as a protectivecover on an immediate adjacent area of the drinking vessel that comes incontact with a user's lips or mouth. The attachment avoids directexposure of the user's mouth with contaminants present on the apertureend of the drinking vessel. A shape of the attachment is adapted andconstructed in a way that fits and covers an inner and an outer surfaceof the drinking vessel. A size of the attachment is large enough toprovide maximum coverage area on the aperture end of the drinkingvessel, with no contact of the user's lips with the drinking vessel. Theattachment is designed in a way to self-maintain a structural integritywhile also firmly griping the aperture end of the drinking vessel. Adesign of the attachment has adapted anti-skid property in order toavoid accidental swallowing of the attachment. The attachment is readilydetachable by manually pulling it away from the drinking vessel. Theattachment is reusable as a personal possession. The attachment can bemade at least from a food grade virgin plastic, rubber, and a non-toxicpolymer material. In one embodiment, the attachment may also be madefrom a biodegradable material.

While aspects of described attachment and a method for functioning ofthe attachment may be implemented in any number of differentenvironments, and/or configurations, the embodiments are described inthe context of the following exemplary attachment for drinking vessel.

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 disclose an attachment (102)for a drinking vessel (502) and a method for the functions of theattachment (102) for permitting the user to drink from the drinkingvessel (502) without any contact with the drinking vessel (502).

Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, an attachment (102) for adrinking vessel (502) is disclosed. The drinking vessel (502) is atleast one of a glass, a cup, a sipper, and a mug. The attachment (102)has a curved arching shape in order to best fit an aperture edge (504)of the drinking vessel (502). The attachment (102) may sufficientlycover an immediate adjacent area of an aperture edge (504) of thedrinking vessel (502) that comes directly in contact with a user'smouth. The attachment (102) is readily retrofittable and readilydetachable by manually pulling the attachment (102) away from thedrinking vessel (502). The attachment (102) is biodegradable.

Further, the attachment (102) comprises an inner wall (112), in contactwith an inner surface (402) of the drinking vessel (502). The inner wall(112) may rest like a flap on the inner surface (402) of the drinkingvessel (502). The edges of the inner wall (112), farther from anaperture edge (504) of the drinking vessel (502), may be trimmed or cutto form an arc shape (302). In an embodiment, the arc shape (302) issimilar to a smiley cut and may provide stability to the attachment(102). In another embodiment, the arc shape (302) may help the innerwall (112) from opening and staying intact. Further, the inner wall(112) consists of an inward slope. The inward slope may allow seepagefree flow of liquid form the drinking vessel (502) into a user's mouth.The inward slope may grip the inner surface (402) of the drinking vessel(502).

Furthermore, the attachment (102) comprises an exterior wall (108) incontact with an outer surface (404) of the drinking vessel (502). Theexterior wall (108) rests like a flap on the outer surface (404) of thedrinking vessel (502). In an embodiment, the exterior wall (108) mayhave a slight inward gradient. In another embodiment, the length of theexterior wall (108) may be longer in height in comparison to the innerwall (112), to cover as much as surface area of outer surface (404) ofthe drinking vessel (502). It may be noted that the length of theexterior wall (108) is customizable based on shape of the drinkingvessel (502).

Further, the attachment (102) comprises a plurality of ribs (104)located on an inner side of the exterior wall (108). The plurality ofribs (104) may be equally spaced curved and slender column likestructure. The plurality of ribs (104) may run parallel to a length ofthe drinking vessel (502). In an embodiment, a vertical design of theplurality of ribs (104) may make the attachment (102), easy to fit anddetach from the drinking vessel (502). In another embodiment, theplurality of ribs (104) may make the attachment (102) sturdy and maymaintain a structural integrity of the attachment (102). In anotherembodiment, the plurality of ribs (104), may provide thickness to theattachment (102), keeping the attachment (102) from falling flimsy.Further, the plurality of ribs (104) may cover any extra space betweenthe attachment (102) and the drinking vessel (502). In an embodiment,the plurality of ribs (104) may enable a user to drink seepage free bycovering the extra space. Furthermore, the plurality of ribs (104) maygive a tight fit to the attachment (102), allowing the user to drinkwithout accidently swallowing the attachment (102). It must be notedthat the plurality of ribs (104) is not visible to the user when theattachment (102) is fixed to the drinking vessel (502).

Further, the attachment (102) comprises a curved surface (110). Thecurved surface (110) rests on a rim of an aperture edge (504) of thedrinking vessel (502). The curved surface (110) may join an inner wall(112) to an exterior wall (108). The curved surface (110) may curved indesign to fit the rim of the aperture end (504) of the drinking vessel(502).

Further, the attachment (102) consists of a curved edge (106) on eitherside of a curved surface (110). The edges of an inner wall (112) and anexterior wall (108) closer to an aperture edge (504) of a drinkingvessel (502) may also form the curved edge (106). The curved edge (106)may have a half semi-circle cut. In an embodiment, the half semi-circlecut may be in a shape of an inward tunnel. In another embodiment, thehalf semi-circle cut may avoid any protrusions on the aperture edge(504) of the drinking vessel (502). In another embodiment, the curvededge (106) cut in a half semi-circle shape may provide stability andgrip to the attachment (102). In yet another embodiment, the halfsemi-circle cut design feature may cover up any gap between an innerceiling of the curved surface (110) and the rim of the aperture edge(504) of the drinking vessel (502).

FIG. 4 illustrates a sliced side view (400) of a drinking vessel (502)when the attachment (102) is retrofitted on top. Further, an inwardslope structure maybe adapted to an inner wall (112) resting on theinner surface (402) of the drinking vessel (502). In an embodiment, theslope structure may facilitate seepage free flow of a liquid to a user'smouth. Further, an inward gradient is adapted to an exterior wall (108)resting on the outer surface (404) of the drinking vessel (502). Asshown in the figure, the exterior wall (108) length is longer in heightthan the inner wall (112). Further, the plurality of ribs (104) may givea tight fit to the attachment (102). A curved surface (110) resting on arim of an aperture edge (504) of the drinking vessel (502) is joiningthe inner wall (112) and the exterior wall (108).

FIG. 5 illustrates the top view (500) of the attachment (102) whenretrofitted on top of the drinking vessel (502). Further, curved edge(106) of the inner wall (112), farther from an aperture edge (504) ofthe drinking vessel, is trimmed to form an arc shape (302) or a smileycut. In an embodiment, the arc shape (302) may prevent the opening ofthe inner wall (112). In another embodiment, the arc shape (302) mayprevent a liquid seepage while drinking from the drinking vessel (502).Further, the curved edge (106) fills any gap between a rim of anaperture edge (504) and the curved surface (110). In an embodiment, thecurved edge (106) may provide seepage free drinking from the drinkingvessel (502).

Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages.Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, theseadvantages may include those provided by the following features.

Some embodiments enable the attachment (102) to be retrofit on top ofthe drinking vessel (502).

Some embodiments enable the attachment (102) to be detachable from thedrinking vessel (502) by manual pulling the attachment (102) away fromthe drinking vessel (502).

Some embodiments facilitate the attachment (102) to be reusable.

Some embodiments facilitate the attachment (102) to be biodegradable.

Although implementations for an attachment (102) for a drinking vessel(502) have been described in a language specific to structural featuresand/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are notnecessarily limited to the specific features or methods described.Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples ofimplementations for constructing the attachment (102) for drinkingvessel (502).

1. An attachment for a drinking vessel, comprising: an inner wall having an inward slope structure, wherein the inner wall is in contact with an inner surface of a drinking vessel; an arc shape on the inner wall, wherein the arc shape is present on the inner surface, and wherein the arc shape on the inner wall facilitates seepage free usage of the attachment, and wherein the arc shape is a smiley cut; an exterior wall, wherein the exterior wall covers an outer surface of the drinking vessel, and wherein the exterior wall length longer in height than the inner wall, and wherein the exterior wall rests like a flap on the outer surface of the drinking vessel; a plurality of ribs, wherein the plurality of ribs is located on an inner side of the exterior wall, and wherein the plurality of ribs is configured to maintain a structural integrity of the exterior wall, and wherein the plurality of ribs covers an extra space between the attachment and the drinking vessel, and wherein the plurality of ribs is equally spaced curved and slender column in structure, and wherein the plurality of ribs provide thickness to the attachment to prevent the attachment from falling flimsy; a curved surface, wherein the curved surface joins the inner wall and the exterior wall, and wherein the curved surface rests on a rim of an aperture edge of the drinking vessel; and a curved edge on the curved surface, wherein the curved edge is a half semi-circle cut on an edge of the curved surface, and wherein the half semi-circle cut is configured to cover up a gap between an inner ceiling of the curved surface and the rim of the aperture edge of the drinking vessel, and wherein the half semi-circle cut avoids protrusions on the aperture edge of the drinking vessel.
 2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the attachment is reusable.
 3. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the attachment is a retrofit attachment.
 4. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the inward slope structure facilitates flow of liquid from the drinking vessel to a user's mouth.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The attachment of claim 1, the plurality of ribs provides grip and anti-skid protection to the attachment.
 7. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the curved edge facilitates tight fit on a top of the drinking vessel.
 8. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the drinking vessel is at least one of a glass, a cup, a sipper, and a mug.
 9. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the attachment is made up of at least a food grade virgin plastic, a rubber, and a polymer material.
 10. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs provide rigidity to the attachment. 